Sound Check: Restorations brings punk energy to Small's in Hamtramck

Nothing has quite worked out as planned for Philadelphia's Restorations -- in a good way.

Frontman Jon Loudon says the group, "a product of about four or five other bands around the Philly area," got together without many of the standard rock band ambitions. "It was all under the idea of really focusing and writing music and spending time in the studio as opposed to touring and trying to make a living off it," explains Loudon, 29, who also works as a freelance graphic designer. But after two albums -- including the new "LP2" -- he notes "that plan backfired after awhile."

Also out the window was the group's idea to "dial things back a bit, slow the tempos down and things like that." "LP2" bristles with earnest and punky energy that hearkens to the group members' hardcore roots.

"I think we really clicked as a band, especially with this lineup," Loudon says. "There was a little bit more confidence on this record, a little bit more room and mental space and just time, overall, to work on it. We had ample time to rehearse, which we've never done before, and a lot of things working for us -- including the support of a label (Sideonedummy).

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"We were really able to hone in and make something that really reflected where we are as players, even if it's not exactly what we expected to sound like."

Restorations perform with the Mensingers, Fake Problems and Captain We're Sinking on Thursday, May 30 at Small's, 10339 Conant, Hamtramck. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $13. Call 313-873-1117 or visit www.smallsbardetroit.com.